Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:13 pm on January 26, 2022 Permalink  

  A Balmy Day 

  24 degrees and not much wind . . . equates to a balmy day.

  With my recently widowed brother living in Decorah, Iowa, there is not much I can do to help.  I have kept in touch with him as well as his son, Eric, that lives near Duluth.  The one item that neither one of them knew what to do about, was Lois’ Bernina sewing machine.  I asked them for the serial number and the code number on the back of it.

  This morning I reached out to Kelly at Creative Stitches in Bird Island.  He was able to tell me the sewing machine was new in October of 2011.  I then went online and found a site of Bernina sewing machine reviews.  It could well bring from $1,500 to $1,900.  When I relayed the information to Eric, I told him my homework was done and put it into his hands to work with his dad.  

  Today was intended that I would spend time at my friend June’s apartment for coffee.  We had not gotten together since before Christmas.  It is her first winter out of her home where she had been for decades with her husband.  Now a widow, it is quite the change with no concerns over winter weather.  We caught up with each other in fine fashion.  It felt good to get out of the house other than for doctor appointments.

  Dennis decided to follow suit and meet up with his friend Lyle for afternoon coffee.  I know it will do Dennis good to take his bandaged foot out and about.

  When the two of us meet up for supper, we are having a creamed chicken dish with baking powder biscuits.  Something a bit different for the two of us.  It is one of the “take and bake” dishes from Hy-Vee that I had picked up a while ago and had stashed in the freezer.  I cut the contents in half and returned one half of it back to the freezer.

  It will be a treat if tomorrow is as nice as today.

   
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  Noreen 3:11 pm on January 25, 2022 Permalink  

  In the Cold 

  When Dennis came in at noon he said he had tried.  He had tried to let a big yellow kitty into the porch to get it in out of the frigid cold.  It would not come in.  Dennis just felt so bad for it.  It may have a hideaway where it takes refuge, let’s hope so.

  Our three kitties don’t even sit in front of the patio porch doors.  They are tucked into their baskets.  Harriet and Snuggles curl up together into one tight ball.  Honey Bunny is up in the rafters of the pickup garage.  She is no one’s fool.  Heat rises from the furnace Dennis has going.

  Ironically, Dennis’ daughter, the nurse, in Mankato is home for five days with covid.  Her twin sister in Silver Bay, northern Minnesota, works in a VA health facility, is also home with covid.  Go figure.

  Dennis is doing better each day.  Keeping busy on a slow scale allows for less thought on the discomfort of the foot.  It does work.  He got the ice knocked off of the furnace vent.  Yippee, we will continue being warm and snug in our home.  Staying busy . . .  I would be speaking from experience.

  It is mid afternoon and the studio is closed for the day.  Closing it down is the best way to take a break before I mess something up.  Tomorrow is another day.  I would have thought that the dream I had last night, the project would have been done.  Two of my stitchers were at our home with me in the studio.  Wishful thinking.

  I checked with Dennis.  We are good for one more night, the last night, of the bean and ham soup.  Nothing warms the innards like hearty soup.

   
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  Noreen 4:03 pm on January 24, 2022 Permalink  

  Sunny and Bright 

  I keep my eyes on the sunny yard and not on the temps.  If I don’t dwell on it, this too shall pass.

  Grandson Ryan is over today to use the snowblower to clean up around doorways, recycling and garbage bins.  After that, the big red bow will be coming off of the front door.  That will be the official end to all things Christmas.

  Bean and ham soup is going to be tasty for supper.  I might say that the studio can be a bit chilly on days such as this.  Good shoes on the feet takes care of leg cramps.

  I do have reading material for the first floor to take up some time, but my heart is in the threads and fuzz right now.  

  The first nice day I will be getting my car’s oil change done in New Ulm.  I have heard of the Sewing Seeds Quilt Shop that sounds intriguing in New Ulm.  I have no needs, so that stop is still up for debate. 

  With this winter being both of my kids’ crack at owning their own businesses . . . what a cold winter to cut their teeth on.  I believe they will be doing just fine.  All that can be done is keep chins up and take it one day at a time.

   
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  Noreen 3:43 pm on January 23, 2022 Permalink  

  The Other Shoe Fell 

  Dennis’ surgery was Friday.  Last night during the early morning hours, the other shoe fell.  I had been telling him to stay off of his feet and keep the foot up at all times.  Last night when I went to bed I commented “If you didn’t have that wooden shoe you, you would act like you never had surgery.”  Sure enough, the strong numbing solution that had been injected into the foot and around the incision site wore off.  OMG!

  We were up and as soon as possible there was a pain pill taken.  It was actually two extra strength Tylenol.  Dennis was tucked into his recliner and he slept until eleven this forenoon when the pain woke him up.  At that time a stronger pain pill was given with food.  He . . . we . . . will get through this.  Yesterday when I checked on him in the patio porch, he was in the garage getting the snowblower gassed up as he heard we would be getting measurable snow.  At that time I took the key to it as well as pulling the key from his pickup.  What a fellow.  Today he knows full well what I had been counseling on.  If the foot is kept raised there is not near the amount of blood going to the incision and the throbbing will be lessened.  

  He didn’t want his phone in his pocket as he hated the world.  I have been there and done that.  I am working with him and not fighting against him.  In between time, I am giving him space by being in the studio.  

  I had been doing some work on a project that needed a bit of concentration.  Today was a good day to dig back into it.  The block with the fireflies is stitched with those in the glass jar having a clear piece of plastic stitched over them.  The pitcher of Lemonade has three lemon circles free floating under clear plastic that has been stitched over the pitcher. It takes a bit of trimming after all has been stitched down.

  I will keep plugging away on this project as this next week we have no appointments.  Sweet.  Dennis does agree, we need to get to the bottom of medical appointments.  A very good reason to mind the “Ps” and “Qs.”

   
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  Noreen 2:00 pm on January 22, 2022 Permalink  

  A Saturday 

  The snow flurries of late yesterday were short lived.  At the time the winds had picked up we had no idea what would come of it.

  At that time, Dennis and I were at our St. James hospital ER. We got home from Mankato hospital surgical visit at 1:30 and Dennis sat in his recliner and was soon asleep.  At four I walked past his chair and I noticed that this left foot wrapping was bloody.  I called the Mankato hospital, and as luck would have it for a Friday afternoon, the surgeon was still on board and was able to talk to me.  He called our St. James ER and left strict instruction on how to redo the dressings.  The incision was not to remain wet from blood.  When we got the five minute trip done to our hospital, a nurse with a wheelchair greeted us at the car door. 

  When the foot was unwrapped the bleeding had stopped.  We had a new dry dressing applied, and I got my first look at the incision, and we were on our way home in what we thought would be a snow storm.  And . . . it didn’t take long the snow had stopped.  All was peaceful and calm on all fronts.

  Dennis and I had a remaining quiet evening at home.  Both of us went to bed early.  I can’t speak for Dennis, but I slept deeply.  Here we are 24 hours out and Dennis has taken a total of one pain pill as the discomfort is minimal.  There had been quite a bit of numbing solution shot into the foot at the time of the surgery.  We will stay ahead of the pain.  Once it is evident, it’s too late.  I continue to say “we.”  I am vested into a good recovery for Dennis and it will be easier on me as well.

  With foot up no matter where Dennis goes, I have whipped the overflowing laundry basket.  That is a good feeling.  With a pan of scones out cooling, we are having the remaining goulash for supper.  Easy enough.

  My brother from Decorah called and that was an hour long conversation.  I let him talk about what he wanted to talk about as I am sure having lost his wife several weeks ago, their home feels and is different. 

  It’s been a good day and we are looking forward to many such as this one.

   
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  Noreen 3:06 pm on January 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Home Sweet Home 

  Home is so sweet after getting up at 4:30 am and then waiting in the surgical ward until noon for Dennis to get through foot surgery.  All went well.  A biopsy was taken of the base of the big toe, but the surgeon has a good feeling that the big toe can be saved.  Checks will be done often going forward with the surgeon.  What has been done with these two surgeries will not impair Dennis’ walking or balance.

  We came home and a cup of coffee went very well with a piece of peach pie.  I had shopped yesterday to make sure there would be a yummy nummy to celebrate and get this morning checked off.

  It never ceases to amaze me how many halls there are to get from “A” to “Z”.  I admit, the bottom of my cane was near smoking by the time I got out of the hospital to get the vehicle warmed up to take Dennis home.

  We are pulling in for the weekend and appreciating what has been conquered.

   
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  Noreen 4:30 pm on January 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Up For It 

  It may have been cold out but I was up for a luncheon with the stitchers at Baker’s Square.  It was 40 degrees when I backed the car out of the garage and it plummeted to 1 by the time I was a block from home.

  The trip was so worth it.  With a group such as I have it does this hermit a wealth of good.  Encouraging in our day-to-day experiences is better than a trip to the doctor.

  I did stop at Hy-Vee and brought supper home.

  After supper we call the Mayo hospital to find out what time we report tomorrow for Dennis’ foot surgery.  It is a one-day surgery.  What a great day to have over with when we arrive home with the patient in tow.

   
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  Noreen 4:00 pm on January 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Cold Day 

  It might have been a cold day, but there was some heat building in the studio.

  There is much to be said for resilience.  It does not happen often, but then once in a blue moon is often enough.  The sewing machine bucked and bucked and bucked.  I finally decided to take it apart down to the last straw.  The first thing I did was to raise the sewing machine table so it was eye level.  One part after another was set aside.  Out came the bobbin and I rethreaded it.  Off came the throat plate and with it a stray thread was found.  Out came the magnetic hook and while it was out I oiled it.  With my mini LED light I looked behind the hook area.  In the depth of the chase that the hook sat on, I spied several threads.  

  At a gun show that I attended with Dennis decades ago in Iowa, I purchased some used metal tools that were akin to the fine dental hooks that a dentist would use to pick around the base of teeth.  That metal hook was fine enough that I could get down and in that narrow track and hook out those stray threads.

  As I didn’t know if I had found the problem, I went ahead and cleaned the cutters that usually automatically cut the thread when thread colors change.  With a new needle put in, I was going to give it a try.

  I did have success in going forward with some stitching.  It pays to be resilient as there is no one else about and I surely can’t be running to Bird Island which is 60 miles away for a not-so-quick fix.

  I think Dennis might have seen the smoke coming from the studio and he had offered to make supper.  It is one of his comfort food suppers: canned stew over instant mashed potatoes and a can of cranberries.  I will joyfully take it.

  Dennis did brave the cold today to go out to the clinic.  He had to have a covid test three days prior to surgery this Friday.  He was thankful to get back home.

   
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  Noreen 3:25 pm on January 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Eye Appointment 

  Today I was called in for an additional eye appointment.  It was the full gambit of what could be tested for: macular degeneration, retina health, glaucoma, and thickness of the cornea.  All checked out great.  I believe there was something that Doc Pinke didn’t like when I was there in December and thought a second look would be beneficial.  We have always been impressed in his due diligence.

  We were able to check on the Mayo portal in regard to Dennis’ blood work-up from yesterday.  Every single line item was right in the middle of the range.  Good going for the ole cowboy going forward.

  It felt good to know both of us are doing well with our health checkups.

  I did text all three of Dennis’ daughters today to let them know that their dad will be having foot surgery on Friday.  Did not want one or the other of them to think I was not letting them know what was going on with their dad.  They are not oft to call and visit with him.

  I was taken aback how long the eye drops for the test of eye pressure and the second dose of drops for the dilation took to work out of my system.

  We now have paper evidence on each of the vehicles dash to indicate that handicap rear view mirror hangers are on order.  Sweet work Dennis.  

  The choice for supper is eggs, Jimmy Dean pre-cooked sausage patties and toast.  Easy enough to get done.

   
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  Noreen 3:48 pm on January 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Busy Medical Day 

  Today was the day that Dennis was scheduled for his pre-op for the foot surgery on this Friday, the 21st.

  I always accompany Dennis to appointments as two sets of ears is better than one.  The first thing Dr. Eatwell did was check my cane over to make sure it was safe.  The Hurricane canes that pivot at the base he would not recommend.  My cane is solid at the base and got the nod of approval.  Good news for me.

  What I appreciate with our family doctor is that one or the other of us may have the appointment, but we both get a mini check up.  Priceless.

  Dennis passed the test with the little sticky buds that got put on his chest and read his heart and it is in good shape.  On to bl00d work and a chest X-ray.  Wednesday Dennis will need a Covid test.  We will then be goo0d to go until Thursday night when we phone to see what time we need to be in Mankato on Friday for his surgery.

  Dennis asked Dr. Eatwell about a handicap hanger for our vehicle.  Considering Dennis’ age and my physical walking which can be a bit tottering with my eye on the winter surfaces, it was not a problem.  Dennis has the paper to take to our motor vehicle office tomorrow.  Had it not been for the holiday closing today, it would have been taken care of by now. 

  Though the afternoon was short, I do have several items laid out to tackle tomorrow.  Having a new needle in the machine, a full bobbin and the grease ports taken care of, it will be a great start.